Vegetarian Black Bean Chili & Corn Bread



Vegetarian Black Bean Chili, Corn Bread and Tossed Salad



I’m not going to lie.  I am tired!!  I didn’t realize that having teenagers was harder than having toddlers.   I haven’t slept since May!  At least when they are babies and cry during the night, you know where they are.  This “out driving late every night” is a killer.   In addition, my new dog Abbey hasn’t figured out that I don’t rise before 7:00 a.m.  I’m not complaining.  I’m just stating the facts.  After packing two kids and shuffling them off to college, I can finally catch up on some much needed “me” time. 

My daughter's "coach"

Today, I am sharing with you a recent dinner I made.   This dish is perfect this time of the year.  It makes use of farm-stand fresh vegetables.  Also, since autumn is around the horizon, this dish is a bit hardier than standard summer fare.  As I was passing through the Catskills after dropping my son off at college, I came upon a wonderful farm stand.  I picked up all that was needed for the Crockpot Vegetarian Black Bean Chili recipe below.  I was also lucky enough to stop at a little stand where a woman was selling her homegrown garlic.….LUCKY ME!!  ENJOY!!

Showing off my garlic

Crockpot Vegetarian Black Bean Chili

2 medium onions, chopped

3 garlic cloves, finely chopped

2 tbsps. (or to taste) chili powder

2 tsps. Ground cumin

1 cup vegetable broth (can use water)

¼ cup organic red wine

3 large ripe heirloom tomatoes, chopped

1 tsp. honey

1 bay leaf

2 medium to large zucchini, chopped

2 ½ cups cooked black beans (*I soak overnight and cook the next morning)

1 ear fresh corn

Sea salt and pepper, to taste

Place onion, garlic, black beans, all vegetables, seasoning & liquids into the crockpot.  Stir gently to combine.  Cook on low setting for 8-10 hours.  Serve with cornbread and tossed salad.

Taking a break from cooking to play with Abbey

Teasing Abbey with some fresh oregano

Corn Bread

1 cup cornmeal

1 cup whole wheat flour

1 tablespoon aluminum free baking powder

¼ cup honey

1 cup organic milk

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 egg

Combine dry ingredients.  Add milk, honey, oil and egg.  Mix until well blended.  No not over mix.  Pour into oiled Pyrex glass baking dish (7 x 9) and bake 15-20 minutes in a 425 degree preheated oven.  Make sure wooden pick comes out clean.

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Some of the ingredients

"Chop" is my middle name

In the crock it goes......

Corn bread fresh out of the oven